These few posts will be a collection of my own writings, either written during exams or normal school practice. I'm posting them here to keep a collection of these writings in somewhere I can always find them.
Anderson Junior College
JC 1 Promos 2007
“Developed countries should lead the way in the conservation of our environment” Do you agree? (I sort of forgot the actual question, its something like that)
Gaia is in danger. This is a fact known to almost every living person on Earth. With the Artic predicted to have lost 40% of ice by 2050 and having temperatures high enough to sunbath or swim in swimsuits, I believe this is a wake up call to everyone, to start doing something for our environment.
Here comes the question. Who will bear the cost? It seems as the most direct solution for developed countries such as the United States or Britain to bear bulk of the monetary cost in our efforts towards conservation of the environment. Simply because they have more reserves compared to third world countries who do not even have the means to feed their people. More importantly, they are the ones who own the most factories, engaging in the production of goods for consumption all over the world. But, does owning the most number of factories mean that they are the main culprits for the destruction of our environment? Not exactly. Does being richer and more developed directly lands developed countries into the role of a monetary bearer for the preservation of the environment?
Considering the world’s “big brother”, the United States, tops the world in everything be it good or bad. If there were to start putting in effort in environmental conservation, promoting the good side towards conservation, perhaps half the world would follow suit. Perhaps this would be overgeneralizing, but my point is that developed countries should set an example should set an example by first starting to bear the cost for environmental conservation. In doing so, they are encouraging every other nation in the world to take up conservation of our environment under their lead. Taking “Live Earth”, the 24 hour long event as an example, only developed countries have the ability to support such a major event. This is something that poor counties do not have the means to. By taking up the cost of such a major event creates awareness about the importance of conservation worldwide. Knowledge about the effects of global warming of melting sea-caps will allow people to understand and start putting in effort to try and savage the situation. Instead of bearing the total cost for the conservation, developed countries should on the other hand aim to produce a start up cost, this cost will benefit the world in gaining knowledge and is not for an idle cost. Although this cost may not be recovered, but it is necessary as only developed countries have the economic ability to support such major events.
Another somewhat logical argument is that one should be responsible for one’s actions. That is, if country X was the one who destroyed the environment, country X should bear the cost. Contradictory to what it seems, not all developed countries are the ones who produce the most waste gas. When asked who is the third largest producer of waste gas behind United States and China, many would probably name a developed and industrialized country such as Germany. Many would be shocked to hear that it is Indonesia. Indonesia is neither developed nor industrialized but creates tons of carbon dioxide because of deforestation.
The culprit for producing waste gas is not that of a developed country, should Indonesia bear the cost for environmental conservation? Through the clichéd thinking of bearing responsibility for one’s act. One would most probably nod in agreement. However, Indonesia is not a developed country and may not have the ability to produce additional reserves towards conservation. Judging based on fairness, it seems illogical for countries who did not contribute the most to waste gases to bear the bulk of the cost for conservation. It would seem as punishing the innocent.
Having proven that developing countries are not exactly innocent in causing harm to the environmental brings me to may next point, that it is not to say that developing countries should not be involved in environment conservation. Therefore developed countries should not be the only ones bearing the cost for environmental conservation. If developed countries put in large amounts of money to develop environmentally friendly products which are CFC free or technology that makes use of natural forces rather than coal, yet developing countries such as Indonesia are burning down their forest, all efforts will be going down the drain. Perhaps developed countries should help come up with the start up cost to educate the world, but the maintenance cost of sustaining the “going-green” efforts, should come from all nations, as it always takes two hands to clam, one-sided effort will only lead to waste.
In conclusion, I agree with the statement to a small extent. Developed countries should bear the start up cost of conserving the environment because developed countries have higher economic abilities as compared to developing countries. This is however not to say that developing countries can keep their arms folded and sit back and relax. Conservation of the environment should be done with nations having one common goal. It can only be achieved when nation co-operate and not boycott an agreements. Only that way are we able to conserve our environment.
Comments: Arguments put across are well argued and developed. Points are logically linked and evaluated. Style is very good – keep it up. What you need – specific examples as concrete evidence to further boost your arguments. Language is fluent and clear. Continue to practice - ____________.
Score: C 19/30 + L 14/20 = 33/50
One of the most fun time I had writing this essay. The style came naturally in a very relaxed manner.
Friday, December 4, 2009
“Every nation should invest in the Arts” Do you agree?
These few posts will be a collection of my own writings, either written during exams or normal school practice. I'm posting them here to keep a collection of these writings in somewhere I can always find them.
Anderson Junior College
JC 1 Term 3 Practice Question 2007
“Every nation should invest in the Arts” Do you agree?
Art can come in many different forms, whether it is in the visual form of paintings and sculptures, literary form of poetry and drama or even the audio form of classical music. In most countries that we see, the Arts cannot support themselves, they have to depend on subsidies from the government or private establishments, only that way can the awareness of Arts be raised. Even in richer countries, not all areas if Art can be fully developed, should the money be spent in fully developing the Arts or should the funds be directed to other areas of concern such as the starvation problem in poorer countries? Although it seems crucial for the government to aid the Arts scene, we must not forget this ethical question.
As suggested earlier, the Arts are seldom able to support themselves. If there are no forms of subsidies forthcoming, the Arts scene may perish, which is a pity. Take for example the traditional Thai dance, it is a part of Thailand which shows it past and traditional roots. It is an inheritance from the past Thai empire and perhaps one of the few links back to the lifestyles of their ancestors. What will be lost along with the dance is the culture and heritage of the Thais, this lost cannot be measured in monetary values, thus the ‘true’ cost of the lost is much heavier than it can be imagined. Public money spent in such a venture is thus for a worthy cause and will definitely be worth spending.
One should also be long sighted and realize how can investing in the arts now help in the long run. Using public funds to develop the arts scene may be seen as a head start to allow the arts scene to be independent. We should look beyond the funds spent now and weigh the pros can cons on a long term basis. The money spent on the arts now may be used in other sectors such as defence and education which are undeniably important due to the positive externalities arised. However, sufficient amount of investment in the arts will encourage the public to get involve, relieving the economic burden on the government such as the case of Singapore public funds are used for the promotion of the arts festival, organizing competitions thus encouraging the public to support the arts scene. The government will no longer need to continue spending money on the arts when the arts become self-sufficient, it will thus be lending a helping hand rather than throwing in money completely.
On the other hand, this may not seem applicable to all countries as suggested by the question. Developing the arts should not be at the extent of depriving those in need of the public funds for survival. In the promotion of arts, the nation may forget about the needy ones who could make use of these funds for survival. In developing countries like Utopia or Cambodia, the funds that the government chose to invest in the arts could be used to save the starving people instead. The suffering people will be more deserving of the funds, after all, we are saving lives, something that is more evident than seeing the arts scene decline. In this case, it seems more ethical for us to spend the money on the less fortunate as they will definitely appreciate it more.
In my opinion, this issue should be views on a case by case basis, richer countries may have the ability to support the arts without much sacrifice, poorer nations however, can make better use of the funds, helping starving people, for a better cause. Maybe the time has not come for all nations to be heavily involved in promoting the Arts, but I believe in time to come, all nations should have the economic ability to do so. In our charitable hearts to direct funds to the poor, I do not think it is completely impossible to savage the dying heritage in the country either. Countries may choose to encourage minority races to keep their traditions for a cause, it is more important to see the meaning of promoting the arts scene rather than invest heavily without knowing the true cost.
Comments: This is a remarkable essay! It’s lucid and passionate. However, you need to work harder on providing evidence to support your stand and conviction.
Score: 44.5/50
It’s a high score mainly because a new teacher marked this, he gave really high scores on the whole(:
Anderson Junior College
JC 1 Term 3 Practice Question 2007
“Every nation should invest in the Arts” Do you agree?
Art can come in many different forms, whether it is in the visual form of paintings and sculptures, literary form of poetry and drama or even the audio form of classical music. In most countries that we see, the Arts cannot support themselves, they have to depend on subsidies from the government or private establishments, only that way can the awareness of Arts be raised. Even in richer countries, not all areas if Art can be fully developed, should the money be spent in fully developing the Arts or should the funds be directed to other areas of concern such as the starvation problem in poorer countries? Although it seems crucial for the government to aid the Arts scene, we must not forget this ethical question.
As suggested earlier, the Arts are seldom able to support themselves. If there are no forms of subsidies forthcoming, the Arts scene may perish, which is a pity. Take for example the traditional Thai dance, it is a part of Thailand which shows it past and traditional roots. It is an inheritance from the past Thai empire and perhaps one of the few links back to the lifestyles of their ancestors. What will be lost along with the dance is the culture and heritage of the Thais, this lost cannot be measured in monetary values, thus the ‘true’ cost of the lost is much heavier than it can be imagined. Public money spent in such a venture is thus for a worthy cause and will definitely be worth spending.
One should also be long sighted and realize how can investing in the arts now help in the long run. Using public funds to develop the arts scene may be seen as a head start to allow the arts scene to be independent. We should look beyond the funds spent now and weigh the pros can cons on a long term basis. The money spent on the arts now may be used in other sectors such as defence and education which are undeniably important due to the positive externalities arised. However, sufficient amount of investment in the arts will encourage the public to get involve, relieving the economic burden on the government such as the case of Singapore public funds are used for the promotion of the arts festival, organizing competitions thus encouraging the public to support the arts scene. The government will no longer need to continue spending money on the arts when the arts become self-sufficient, it will thus be lending a helping hand rather than throwing in money completely.
On the other hand, this may not seem applicable to all countries as suggested by the question. Developing the arts should not be at the extent of depriving those in need of the public funds for survival. In the promotion of arts, the nation may forget about the needy ones who could make use of these funds for survival. In developing countries like Utopia or Cambodia, the funds that the government chose to invest in the arts could be used to save the starving people instead. The suffering people will be more deserving of the funds, after all, we are saving lives, something that is more evident than seeing the arts scene decline. In this case, it seems more ethical for us to spend the money on the less fortunate as they will definitely appreciate it more.
In my opinion, this issue should be views on a case by case basis, richer countries may have the ability to support the arts without much sacrifice, poorer nations however, can make better use of the funds, helping starving people, for a better cause. Maybe the time has not come for all nations to be heavily involved in promoting the Arts, but I believe in time to come, all nations should have the economic ability to do so. In our charitable hearts to direct funds to the poor, I do not think it is completely impossible to savage the dying heritage in the country either. Countries may choose to encourage minority races to keep their traditions for a cause, it is more important to see the meaning of promoting the arts scene rather than invest heavily without knowing the true cost.
Comments: This is a remarkable essay! It’s lucid and passionate. However, you need to work harder on providing evidence to support your stand and conviction.
Score: 44.5/50
It’s a high score mainly because a new teacher marked this, he gave really high scores on the whole(:
Foriegn Brides
The next few posts will be a collection of my own writings, either written during exams or normal school practice. I'm posting them here to keep a collection of these writings in somewhere I can always find them.
Cedar Girls Secondary School
Sec 3 EOY English Language Paper 1 2005
Foreign Brides 23/9/05
With the development of our nation, many people are now caught in the ever changing fast paced society in Singapore. Men tend to be stuck in the rat race and women are now given equal opportunities compared to men, some even earning tens of thousands a month. Thus Singaporean women have higher expectations of men, many would rather marry foreigners and shin men from jobs of the lower class, for example, the hawkers, those working in the wet market and “karang gunis”. These men eventually turn to foreign brides with the hope of setting up a happy family of their own. These men tend to be around thirty to fifty years old, with an average monthly income.
How well does the statement ‘live happily ever after’ stand? How many couples are getting divorced daily? Men may initially feel an attraction towards these women, mainly from Thailand, China or even Vietnam, but this is all but a physical attraction. How different is this from blind dates? To really ‘live happily ever after’, couples have to be able to accept all flaws of the other party and understand each other and are able to confide in each other when needed. How accurate is it to judge a person’s character based on a picture or at first glance? Men who marry foreign brides may not get to enjoy eternal marital bliss after all.
There are also cases if men being cheated by agencies who promise to deliver these foreign brides to them. Those who genuinely want to set up a family may be cheated of thousands of dollars which they have been scrimping and saving for months. Is it safe enough to get foreign brides through agencies? There is no guarantee as many turn out to be a hoax. The latter later regrets having not signed any official documents to take legal actions against the company.
We also never know what these foreign brides are thinking about, they are not locals after all. They are brought up in a foreign land and who do not know their principles, beliefs and mindsets. Some foreign brides squander large amounts of money on branded goods and demand that their husbands buy designer products for them or threaten to leave, many dote on their wives and think on means and ways to provide the best for them. The brides are thus taking advantage of their marriage for their own personal gains.
One might however pity these brides as they might have been forces into circumstances like these. Some do it to supplement the family income, others for the hope of a better lifestyle. Whatever the reason, they are humans with a heart after all, no one wants to be away from home all their life, no one wants to endure the pain of homesickness. We should too spare a though for their feelings, of how they might feel in a land away from home.
These brides may be cheated or even worse abused by their husbands. They may be tricked into believing that their husbands were actually “businessmen” who later turn out to be a small time hawker or claim to have a car which turn out to be a bicycle. Is it fair for them to be conned into marriage? These brides should have rights to legally charge these men who do abuse them after drinking too much or losing large amounts after gambling. Their brides are not her for them to vent their anger on.
In conclusion, I personally feel that although foreign brides may be a solution to loneliness, the thought of whether the marriage will last has to be considered. The men might be relieving them of a temporary financial situation but how well can they provide them for the rest of their lives or ensure that they are really happy. The risk of getting divorce is very high and it is pointless to spend money on a marriage that will not last. There are also dangers of getting them to Singapore and the men face a constant threat of when is she going to leave or whether she has taken their money. I feel that it is wrong to deprive them of basic human right to choose their spouses. If the demand for these foreign brides are not high, the market will eventually be closed down, giving freedom to them. Thus I feel it is better to wait for the day your true live appears instead of gambling your happiness and money on foreign brides, not because of the risk involved, but also a release for them, and also the men to treasure true love when it comes.
Comments: Very good work
Score: 25/30
Well, the language and structure is not excellent but I typed it out as I wrote it, so it was exactly what I wrote when I was fifteen(:
Cedar Girls Secondary School
Sec 3 EOY English Language Paper 1 2005
Foreign Brides 23/9/05
With the development of our nation, many people are now caught in the ever changing fast paced society in Singapore. Men tend to be stuck in the rat race and women are now given equal opportunities compared to men, some even earning tens of thousands a month. Thus Singaporean women have higher expectations of men, many would rather marry foreigners and shin men from jobs of the lower class, for example, the hawkers, those working in the wet market and “karang gunis”. These men eventually turn to foreign brides with the hope of setting up a happy family of their own. These men tend to be around thirty to fifty years old, with an average monthly income.
How well does the statement ‘live happily ever after’ stand? How many couples are getting divorced daily? Men may initially feel an attraction towards these women, mainly from Thailand, China or even Vietnam, but this is all but a physical attraction. How different is this from blind dates? To really ‘live happily ever after’, couples have to be able to accept all flaws of the other party and understand each other and are able to confide in each other when needed. How accurate is it to judge a person’s character based on a picture or at first glance? Men who marry foreign brides may not get to enjoy eternal marital bliss after all.
There are also cases if men being cheated by agencies who promise to deliver these foreign brides to them. Those who genuinely want to set up a family may be cheated of thousands of dollars which they have been scrimping and saving for months. Is it safe enough to get foreign brides through agencies? There is no guarantee as many turn out to be a hoax. The latter later regrets having not signed any official documents to take legal actions against the company.
We also never know what these foreign brides are thinking about, they are not locals after all. They are brought up in a foreign land and who do not know their principles, beliefs and mindsets. Some foreign brides squander large amounts of money on branded goods and demand that their husbands buy designer products for them or threaten to leave, many dote on their wives and think on means and ways to provide the best for them. The brides are thus taking advantage of their marriage for their own personal gains.
One might however pity these brides as they might have been forces into circumstances like these. Some do it to supplement the family income, others for the hope of a better lifestyle. Whatever the reason, they are humans with a heart after all, no one wants to be away from home all their life, no one wants to endure the pain of homesickness. We should too spare a though for their feelings, of how they might feel in a land away from home.
These brides may be cheated or even worse abused by their husbands. They may be tricked into believing that their husbands were actually “businessmen” who later turn out to be a small time hawker or claim to have a car which turn out to be a bicycle. Is it fair for them to be conned into marriage? These brides should have rights to legally charge these men who do abuse them after drinking too much or losing large amounts after gambling. Their brides are not her for them to vent their anger on.
In conclusion, I personally feel that although foreign brides may be a solution to loneliness, the thought of whether the marriage will last has to be considered. The men might be relieving them of a temporary financial situation but how well can they provide them for the rest of their lives or ensure that they are really happy. The risk of getting divorce is very high and it is pointless to spend money on a marriage that will not last. There are also dangers of getting them to Singapore and the men face a constant threat of when is she going to leave or whether she has taken their money. I feel that it is wrong to deprive them of basic human right to choose their spouses. If the demand for these foreign brides are not high, the market will eventually be closed down, giving freedom to them. Thus I feel it is better to wait for the day your true live appears instead of gambling your happiness and money on foreign brides, not because of the risk involved, but also a release for them, and also the men to treasure true love when it comes.
Comments: Very good work
Score: 25/30
Well, the language and structure is not excellent but I typed it out as I wrote it, so it was exactly what I wrote when I was fifteen(:
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